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Roasted bell peppers are tasty vessels for a cheesy rice and beef filling to please adults and kids alike. Steps
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Classic stuffed peppers with rice, ground beef, two different types of cheese, and Italian herbs are baked in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful. This easy dinner recipe appeals to both kids and adults, is a cozy and satisfying meal, and even looks elegant enough for entertaining! Pair the stuffed peppers with a side salad, crusty bread, or fluffy buttermilk biscuits. You can’t beat good old-fashioned stuffed peppers with rice for a simple and hearty family-friendly dinner. It’s a great way to use up plenty of fresh bell peppers, and the flexible recipe can be adapted to accommodate a variety of taste and dietary preferences. Add sausage for even more flavor, swap out the rice for cauliflower rice, or use different types of cheese. There are so many ways to make this stuffed peppers recipe your own! The Best Stuffed PeppersI’ve tried many versions of stuffed peppers over the years, but I always come back to the original that I grew up with: a simple recipe for Italian stuffed peppers with rice and mozzarella. We add ground beef for filling protein, but you can swap it out for ground turkey or ground Italian sausage instead, or even make them vegetarian by using black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, or white beans. I’ve shown sweet red bell peppers here, but you can also use yellow bell peppers, orange bell peppers, or green bell peppers for this recipe. It’s just a matter of personal taste preference. The red, yellow, and orange peppers are generally much sweeter than the green peppers (and I think they look really pretty in the dish). Green bell peppers tend to have a zesty taste, which pairs well with the savory meat, cheese, rice, and tomato sauce. Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them?Yes, I recommend par-boiling or pre-baking the peppers before adding the ground beef and rice stuffing. If you prefer a more crisp-tender pepper, you can skip this step since the peppers will definitely soften in the oven. That said, it’s very easy to give the bell peppers a little head start in the microwave. Just place them in a dish with water, cover loosely with a sheet of parchment paper, and cook on high for about 3 minutes. Do you have to cook the meat before stuffing the peppers?In this recipe, you’ll pre-cook the rice and the meat before stuffing the peppers. Some recipes call for a hybrid: pre-cooked rice, which is combined with raw meat for the stuffing. When using raw meat, the rice can soak up some of the drippings from the meat. This adds great flavor, but it can also yield a slightly less healthy, greasier dish. Either way works, but here we’re pre-cooking the ground beef to make sure that it’s totally cooked through and lean. IngredientsThis is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a batch of stuffed peppers with rice and ground beef. As always, specific measurements and complete step-by-step cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
How to Make Stuffed Peppers with RiceWhile these classic stuffed peppers may look fancy or complicated, they’re actually really easy to prepare! You’ll need to pre-cook the peppers (as I mentioned above) while you prepare the ground beef filling, then just stuff the peppers and bake them in the oven.
What to Serve with Stuffed Bell PeppersSince this recipe includes veggies, rice, and meat, it’s an entire stand-alone dinner! If you’d like to round out the meal with additional sides, here are a few good options to serve with the stuffed peppers:
How much protein is in a stuffed pepper?These healthy stuffed peppers are full of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, as well as satisfying protein from the beef. Each stuffed pepper half has about 324 calories, 22 grams of fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 19 grams of protein. Preparation and Storage Tips
Recipe Variations for Stuffed Peppers with Rice
Tips for the Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe
More Stuffed Pepper Recipes to Try
*Alternatively, you can pre-bake the peppers in the oven instead of in the microwave. To do so, fill a baking dish large enough to fit peppers with about ½ -inch of water. Place peppers cut-side down in water, cover with foil and bake for about 20 minutes.
Serving: 1/2 of a stuffed pepperCalories: 324kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 19gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 484mgPotassium: 508mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2349IUVitamin C: 81mgCalcium: 235mgIron: 2mg This recipe was originally published in August, 2020. It was updated in July, 2022. Hey, I’m Blair! Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking! Read More Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them?Some stuffed pepper recipes call for boiling your peppers before baking. Others don't pre-cook them and they turn out too crunchy. Our research found that pre-baking the peppers for 30 minutes makes them perfectly tender! Once you stuff them, you'll need 20 minutes in the hot even to get the cheese nice and melty.
How do you make Paula Deen's stuffed peppers?directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.. Cut peppers in half lengthwise, halving the stems as well. ... . Saute beef (and/or pork), onion, garlic, 1 teaspoons of bouillon, and House Seasoning until meat is cooked and onions are translucent. ... . Add rice, cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, green onion and soy sauce.. Do you cover stuffed peppers when cooking?Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melted and lightly browned, another 15 to 20 minutes.
What is a good side dish to go with stuffed bell peppers?Other Easy & Best Side Dishes for Stuffed Peppers. Green Beans.. Cheese Platter.. Corn Grits.. Sweet Potato Fries.. Potato Wedges.. Steamed Vegetables.. |